When Travis Blanks began arriving for practice wearing a sports coat Coach Dabo Swinney couldn’t contain his curiosity.
“I’m taking care of my business,” Swinney said Blanks told him.
Sidelined by injuries since the 11th game of the 2013 season, Blanks business could be a critical component on a defense eager to emulate last year’s splendid performance.
“To the outside world, it seems like I haven’t played for a long time,” Blanks said. “I’ve only missed 13 Saturdays.
“To me, I haven’t missed a beat. The only thing I missed was the games.”
As a freshman in 2012, he started eight games as a nickel back and totaled 51 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. He was named second-team freshman All-American.
The next year he started 10 of the first 11 games at safety but tore a knee ligament that required surgery in late November. Rather than push his return, Blanks chose to take a redshirt in 2014 to build his body and absorb defensive coordinator Brent Venables’ scheme. During bowl practice last December he reinjured the knee and required a second surgery.
Easily it was the lowest low, yet Blanks remained focused on the solution rather than dwell on the setbacks. After missing spring practice he reported for “work” this month prepared to claim a job as either the primary nickel back or at “SAM” (strong side) linebacker rather than safety.
“I’m going to simply do my job,” he said. “Whatever the coaches ask of me, I’ll just do that.”
Since last season the strength of Clemson’s defense shifted from the front seven to the backside with corner Mackensie Alexander and an impressive collection of athletes at safety. Blanks role became all the more critical with the season-ending injury last week to Korrin Wiggins.
“He’s in the position he needs to be,” Swinney said. “He’s a little more natural closer to the box.
“He’s a physical player with good instincts, great ball skills.”
Even with the second injury Blanks never regretted his decision to redshirt.
“I made the right decision even though I got hurt (again),” Blanks said. “I just wasn’t ready. It would have been a disservice trying to live up to the expectations and do what everybody wanted me to do if I wasn’t mentally and physically ready. At the end of the day, I made the right decision.”
Blanks was cleared by doctors to cut loose again as summer began.
“I don’t have any limitations,” he said. “I feel the best I’ve ever felt.”
Regardless, he was never far from the field.
“Travis is as good a leader as there is on this team. He was even a leader when he couldn’t play,” Swinney said.
“He’s like having a coach out there. He is a tremendous leader and – truly – sometimes you’ve got to have something taken away from you before you appreciate it. He just really appreciates coming out here to practice.
“He’s really good.”
Even for the most optimistic there are lows. He leaned on his Christian faith and rededicated himself to being ready for 2015.
“My faith has been number one, and I wouldn’t be here without Jesus,” he said.
“Being at Clemson was special because I have a strong support group willing to help me with what I was going through. I have tried to invest in the program and the game as much as I could.
“I wasn’t able to be out there, but to me I was out there.”
Swinney said, though he recognized Blanks struggling, he saw him blossom as he pushed through the toughest moments.
“His mentality rubs off on his teammates,” he said. “It’s good to see him feel good again.”
Blanks hoped to see a return this season for his dedication to the job.
“It’s hard not to see the rewards of your preparation, but I made the right decision,” he said. “I did what I had to do to be where I am right now.”